Position Types

[will]

Does Raytheon ever have any scientific type jobs available to assist the people who come down? I’m definitely not above doing dishes, but it would be nice to do work in the sciences. Right now I’m working on my ms in ecology. I’m already planning on going to the job fair this march just to get my name out there. I realize the scientists bring down there own technicians, but is there anything available though another channel?

This is an amazing resource. Thanks to everyone for all their work!

[Sciencetech]

You didn’t say what your bachelor’s is in, but I’m assuming something science related…

I suggest applying for Assistant Supervisor, Laboratory Operations. This can be either a summer or winter position. The “Saz-Low” (summer) and “Wahz-Low” (winter) jobs help run the labs, set up materials for researchers, including doing inventory, administrative tasks, organization and some equipment maintenance. Occasionally they help with data collection and assisting researchers, but that’s a side benefit.

If you want to be thick into the research, you’ll have to get on with one of the funded projects. That means contacting grantees to see if they need someone (the NSF website has lists of on-going and upcoming projects).

If you have a background in physics, geophysics, engineering or geo-sciences, email me and I’ll give you some more ideas.

Good luck!

glenn

[Sciencetech]

Also, if you’d like to work on one of the vessels, you could apply for Marine Science Technician. It’s basically the same thing as the Assistant Lab Manager positions, but at sea. They manage the labs on the ships and assist the researchers (mostly biological).

g

[will]

Thanks, that’s exactly the type of position I was looking for. It sounds like a little more background on me would help, so I’ll summarize. My bachelors is from a Jesuit college where I double majored in environmental science and theology. I did seasonal jobs for a couple years and one of them was in one of the most remote areas of the lower 48 (Wildlife biologist at the AZ strip if you know that area). I grew up in a pretty remote area too. I have experience as a technician working in a wide range of sciences. As far as my own research goes, I’m working in Iowa (ehh…) with restoration, fire, and community ecology, as well as carbon cycling.

I did a little atmospheric work…setting up eddy fluxes and other co2 work, and a little work drilling for samples and using a direct push system. Basically, nothing great for down there. But I do know some of the

I know how working with NSF grants goes in awesome locations, it’s one of the reasons I took the grad position in the midwest (Oaxaca!). But I want to go down and experience life on the base for an entire season, not just a few weeks. I’ve been intrigued by it for years. And I would have no problem scrubbing toilets to do so.

[Sciencetech]

Yup, apply for the assistant lab manager position. That would be your thing.

With your background I would suggest avoiding the lower-skilled jobs like janitor or whatnot. The reason is that, once you got there and saw what the lab personnel were doing, you’d be very unhappy with your decision. Better to get into the right job to start with. (And in fact it would probably be much easier for you to get a lab position than an unskilled position; there’s tremendous competition for the unskilled jobs.) Either way, you *will* be cleaning toilets, so don’t feel like you’re missing out on something.
;-]

BTW, isn’t a double major of “environmental science and theology” an oxymoron, at least regarding the evolutionary issue? I suppose you hear that a lot. Then again, the Jesuits I’ve met have always been very pragmatic about such things. Never mind me, I’m just blathering. Carry on.

g

[will]

Thanks, that’s all great info and exactly what I needed to know. I’m planning on going to the job fair in March/April to meet some people and see if there is anything I can do to better my chances. Plus I don’t need much of an excuse to head out to the mountains. As far as the theology thing goes….
I knew I wanted to double major, but wasn’t completely sure in what. Math was my first choice, but math and science wouldn’t balance me out. Then I thought english, but I can read books on my own. Next I thought about philosophy, but lots of people do that. I decided on theology because I figured it would tell me why people do things more than psychology or sociology. It’s different at a jesuit school, it’s not like a bible college at all. A lot of anthopology and philosophy. In a class on the new testament we watched the godfather… In fact, many of my theology classes were taught by atheists. I’m not religious at all either. Even those who were are very open. I had a class with a nun who was really excited that my friend was moving in with his girlfriend. She even bought them a housewarming gift. The jesuits are awesome. It’s been my experience that many of them get pretty worked up about about not believing in evolution and all of the really controversial topics. Their beliefs seem to be the opposite of what many people would think. I know of a few students that didn’t like them because they were too liberal.

[Sciencetech]

Wow, interesting!

A while back the Vatican asked the NSF if they could send someone down to look into the “meteorite from mars” controversy. Turns out the Papal science adviser was a Jesuit (priest?); I never quite understood the theological relationship there but it was sure interesting talking with him. A very independent thinker. I suspect user Been_There might have been more directly involved in that process, maybe we can get him to tell us about it.

Best of luck on the job hunt. Be persistent!

g

[Been_There]

I recall the individual coming down as part of the meteorite search team but had no direct interaction with him at the time.  Would have been interesting to chat and get his take on our Antarctic community. 
 
The interaction between different types of people in the somewhat remote environment we operation in has always been of interest to me.  The further away you get from the big city, McMurdo, the more interesting it gets.  I was fortunate to have the opportunity to be at McMurdo in the winter during the beginning of my Antarctic career and spent some time working in the field and still marvel at what happened on a daily basis…..the things I can remember.  Over the years, watching people that normally have little contact with each other, interact at various levels was a treat.  I wish someone could capture this aspect of life in Antarctica in a book.
 
BT

[Crandle9]

Where would you suggest applying for an assistant lab manager position? Raytheon? I didn’t see any of that position. I suppose they may not have any available at this time.
Thanks for the input, I’m in a very similar position as Bear and Antarctica is fascinating to me!

[Sciencetech]

Raytheon Polar Services is the current primary contractor for the USAP, so you’ll find any open positions at http://rayjobs.com/

Note that Antarctic positions are often listed as being in “Centennial, Colorado” because that’s were the RPSC headquarters is located. Hiring season starts in about March-April. I’d start looking on Rayjobs in February but not expect to see much until later. If you see a position you’re interested in, I suggest applying immediately because HR is now setting limits on the number of applications they will consider for each position; after that they posting may disappear (unless they don’t find someone they want to hire, in which case the position may re-appear on Rayjobs).

Good luck!

glenn

[Author]

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